The Energy News Digest

Monday, August 18, 2025

The Energy News Digest for August 18, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Electricity Prices Are Climbing More Than Twice as Fast as Inflation (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/16/nx-s1-5502671/electricity-bill-high-inflation-ai

Pacific Northwest: Power Bills May Get Pricier as Region’s Main Supplier Increases Rates (Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bpa-rates

Washington’s Hydropower Has Created a Data Center Boom. Some Are Concerned About Its Future. (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/17/nx-s1-5501579/washington-hydropower-data-center-boom-sustainability-climate-change

Canada: Fraser River Salmon Returns This Year a ‘Real Chance to Celebrate,’ Harvesters Say (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/salmon-returns-2025-bc-1.7607430

Top Climate Tech Exec: The Air Conditioning Gap Between Europe & America Is Becoming an Economic Liability (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-climate-tech-exec-ac-100000149.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. Electricity Prices Are Climbing More Than Twice as Fast as Inflation

2. Pacific Northwest: Power Bills May Get Pricier as Region’s Main Supplier Increases Rates

3. Bonneville Power Administration Releases Final Provider of Choice Policies, Decisions & Contract Templates

4. Bonneville Power Administration’s Third Quarter Financial Outlook Remains Steady

5. Portland General Electric Now Requesting 10.9 Percent Rate Increase for 2025

6. Federal Court Dismisses Environmental Groups’ Hydropower Lawsuit Against Eugene Water & Electric

7. Montana PSC to Take Up Data Centers, Artificial Intelligence

8. Artificial Intelligence Experts Return from China Stunned: The U.S. Grid Is So Weak, The Race May Already Be Over

9. WA State: Okanogan County PUD Hears It’s Feasible to Remove Enloe Dam

10. Oregon: Construction Underway on Boardman-to-Hemingway Power Line, With Work to Start Soon in Eastern Baker County

11. Montana: Flathead Electric Cooperative Puts Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the Public

12. Power Transformers & Distribution Transformers will Face Supply Deficits of 30% & 10% in 2025: Report

13. Heat Wave Spikes Temps & Hydropower Demand

14. States Look to Unleash Wind & Solar Boom While Tax Credits Still Exist

15. EPA Planning to Rescind $7 Billion in Federal Solar Grants, Including $30 Million for Wyoming

16. ‘Pennies From the Sun’: Schools in Rural Communities Look to Save Money in Solar Power Project

17. More People in the U.S. Are Catching on to a European Idea: Backyard Solar Panels

18. California’s Self-Own on Wind & Solar

19. How One Oregon Activist Is Using a Decades-Old Liberal Policy to Stall Green Energy Projects

20. Top Climate Tech Exec: The Air Conditioning Gap Between Europe & America Is Becoming an Economic Liability

21. Heat Pump Adoption Expected to Grow Despite Federal Shift

22. Canada: Fraser River Salmon Returns This Year a ‘Real Chance to Celebrate,’ Harvesters Say

23. WA State: Record Number of Hatchery Chinook Salmon Expected to Return to Whatcom Creek

24. New WSU Research Sheds Light on Coho Salmon Die-Offs Linked to Car-Tire Chemical

25. Idaho Poisoned Snake River for Invasive Mussels. Was It Worth ‘Heartbreaking’ Loss?

26. Unusual ‘Zombie Rabbits’ Spotted in Washington State

27. U.S. Justice Department Sues California Over Its Truck Emission Standards

28. Water Levels Plunge at Lake Powell. Is ‘Dead Pool’ Looming?

29. On Thin Ice: A Closer Look at Pacific Northwest’s Glaciers

30. WA To Consider Changes to Allocation of No-Cost Allowances to Certain Industries

31. Washington’s Hydropower Has Created a Data Center Boom. Some Are Concerned About Its Future

32. Nevada: ‘Massive’ – The Sprawling Data Center Boom in the Northern Nevada Desert

33. Trump Admin Reopens $5 Billion Electric Vehicle Charging Program After Losses in Court

34. Republicans Look to Make a U-Turn on Federal Commitment to Electric Vehicles for the Postal Service

35. Longtime Wyoming Newspaper Executives to Buy, Reopen Eight Shuttered Newspapers

36. Having a Personal Brand at Work Is Key for Introverts, Expert Says: ‘A Lot of People Underestimate Them’

37. Six Planets Are Hanging Out in Early Morning Skies This Month. Here’s How to Spot Them

38. Curious Kids: If Everyone in the World Turned on the Lights at the Same Time, What Would Happen?

39. Federal Bill Aims to Increase Transparency in Hydropower Dam Relicensing Process

40. Old Farmer’s Almanac – Drought Relief for Pacific Northwest as Fall, Winter Forecasts Released

41. Think Tank Finds WA Wasting CCA Money on Projects with Little Enviro Benefit

Words of the Day

Cambridge Dictionary Adds ‘Skibidi’ & ‘Tradwife’ Among 6,000 New Words

https://apnews.com/article/cambridge-dictionary-new-additions-skibidi-tradwife-delulu-095e16163ed4f8bdb19893181cdb1a26

Energy & Utility Issues

1. Electricity Prices Are Climbing More Than Twice as Fast as Inflation (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/16/nx-s1-5502671/electricity-bill-high-inflation-ai

2. Pacific Northwest: Power Bills May Get Pricier as Region’s Main Supplier Increases Rates (Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, WA)

https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bpa-rates

3. Bonneville Power Administration Releases Final Provider of Choice Policies, Decisions & Contract Templates (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20250815-bpa-releases-final-provider-of-choice-policies-decisions-contract-templa

4. Bonneville Power Administration’s Third Quarter Financial Outlook Remains Steady (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20250814-bpa-third-quarter-financial-outlook-remains-steady

5. Portland General Electric Now Requesting 10.9 Percent Rate Increase for 2025 (Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board)

https://oregoncub.org/news/blog/pge-now-requesting-10.9-percent-rate-increase-for-2025/3164/

6. Federal Court Dismisses Environmental Groups’ Hydropower Lawsuit Against Eugene Water & Electric (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/12/eugene-water-electric-board-federal-court-dismisses-environmental-groups-lawsuit/

7. Montana PSC to Take Up Data Centers, Artificial Intelligence (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2025/08/11/montana-psc-to-take-up-data-centers-ai/

8. Artificial Intelligence Experts Return from China Stunned: The U.S. Grid Is So Weak, The Race May Already Be Over (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ai-experts-return-china-stunned-195549402.html

9. WA State: Okanogan County PUD Hears It’s Feasible to Remove Enloe Dam (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

https://methowvalleynews.com/2025/08/14/okanogan-county-pud-hears-its-feasible-to-remove-enloe-dam/

10. Oregon: Construction Underway on Boardman-to-Hemingway Power Line, With Work to Start Soon in Eastern Baker County (Baker City Herald, OR – Paywall Advisory)

https://bakercityherald.com/2025/08/14/construction-underway-for-boardman-to-hemingway-power-line-with-work-to-start-soon-in-eastern-baker-county/

11. Montana: Flathead Electric Cooperative Puts Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the Public (The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT)

https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2025/aug/17/flathead-electric-seeks-input-on-wildfire-plan/

12. Power Transformers & Distribution Transformers will Face Supply Deficits of 30% & 10% in 2025: Report (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/power-transformers-and-distribution-transformers-will-face-supply-deficits-30-and-10-2025-report

13. Heat Wave Spikes Temps & Hydropower Demand (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/media/news-releases/article/4271925/heat-wave-spikes-temps-and-hydropower-demand/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

14. States Look to Unleash Wind & Solar Boom While Tax Credits Still Exist (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/states-speed-deployment-tax-credits-disappear

15. EPA Planning to Rescind $7 Billion in Federal Solar Grants, Including $30 Million for Wyoming (Cowboy State Daily)

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/08/10/7-billion-in-federal-solar-clawbacks-includes-30m-for-wyoming/

16. ‘Pennies From the Sun’: Schools in Rural Communities Look to Save Money in Solar Power Project (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/aug/18/pennies-from-the-sun-schools-in-rural-communities-/

17. More People in the U.S. Are Catching on to a European Idea: Backyard Solar Panels (National Public Radio)

https://www.wbaa.org/2025-08-12/more-people-in-the-u-s-are-catching-on-to-a-european-idea-backyard-solar-panels

18. California’s Self-Own on Wind & Solar (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/17/california-promised-wind-and-solar-developers-a-270-day-permitting-process-theyre-still-waiting-00510674

19. How One Oregon Activist Is Using a Decades-Old Liberal Policy to Stall Green Energy Projects (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/14/eastern-oregon-la-grande-irene-gilbert-environment-wind-solar-nuclear-projects/

Conservation & Efficiency

20. Top Climate Tech Exec: The Air Conditioning Gap Between Europe & America Is Becoming an Economic Liability (Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-climate-tech-exec-ac-100000149.html

21. Heat Pump Adoption Expected to Grow Despite Federal Shift (Utility Dive)

https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/heat-pump-adoption-expected-to-grow-despite-federal-shift/757697/

Fish & Wildlife

22. Canada: Fraser River Salmon Returns This Year a ‘Real Chance to Celebrate,’ Harvesters Say (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/salmon-returns-2025-bc-1.7607430

23. WA State: Record Number of Hatchery Chinook Salmon Expected to Return to Whatcom Creek (KGMI Radio, Bellingham, WA)

https://mybellinghamnow.com/news/297792-record-number-of-hatchery-chinook-salmon-expected-to-return-to-whatcom-creek/

24. New WSU Research Sheds Light on Coho Salmon Die-Offs Linked to Car-Tire Chemical (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/wsu-washington-state-university-coho-salmon-puget-sound-creek-car-tire-chemical-6ppd-research-science-wildlife-biology

25. Idaho Poisoned Snake River for Invasive Mussels. Was It Worth ‘Heartbreaking’ Loss? (Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/idaho-poisoned-snake-river-for-invasive-mussels-was-it-worth-heartbreaking-loss/ar-AA1KFAHp

26. Unusual ‘Zombie Rabbits’ Spotted in Washington State (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/unusual-zombie-rabbits-spotted-washington-state/BR3GF7UTNFC3ZIZ6GBVHCRE65Q/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

27. U.S. Justice Department Sues California Over Its Truck Emission Standards (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/justice-department-sues-california-over-its-truck-emission-standards/ar-AA1KBn4n

Water, Water, Anywhere?

28. Water Levels Plunge at Lake Powell. Is ‘Dead Pool’ Looming? (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/water-levels-plunge-lake-powell-192943065.html

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

29. On Thin Ice: A Closer Look at Pacific Northwest’s Glaciers (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/on-thin-ice-pacific-northwests-glaciers/281-36aa8701-87b2-4a28-9bc8-a4f7a7a7c895

30. WA To Consider Changes to Allocation of No-Cost Allowances to Certain Industries (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_7f1331a1-847a-419a-98d5-80d158a8378e.html

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

31. Washington’s Hydropower Has Created a Data Center Boom. Some Are Concerned About Its Future. (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA)

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/17/nx-s1-5501579/washington-hydropower-data-center-boom-sustainability-climate-change

32. Nevada: ‘Massive’ – The Sprawling Data Center Boom in the Northern Nevada Desert (Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/science-and-technology/massive-the-sprawling-data-center-boom-in-the-northern-nevada-desert-3422858/

I Sing the Car Electric

33. Trump Admin Reopens $5 Billion Electric Vehicle Charging Program After Losses in Court (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/ev-charging/trump-reopen-nevi-funding

34. Republicans Look to Make a U-Turn on Federal Commitment to Electric Vehicles for the Postal Service (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/postal-service-electric-vehicles-trump-biden-reversal-03958ff70e8209ee2bf91c266c6d4b6f

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

35. Longtime Wyoming Newspaper Executives to Buy, Reopen Eight Shuttered Newspapers (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/longtime-wyoming-newspaper-executives-to-buy-reopen-eight-shuttered-newspapers/

36. Having a Personal Brand at Work Is Key for Introverts, Expert Says: ‘A Lot of People Underestimate Them’ (CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/10/having-a-personal-brand-at-work-is-key-for-introverts-expert-sayshow-to-develop-one.html

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

37. Six Planets Are Hanging Out in Early Morning Skies This Month. Here’s How to Spot Them (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/parade-of-planets-2025-78f417bb01efb820de7dfb66cf947208

38. Curious Kids: If Everyone in the World Turned on the Lights at the Same Time, What Would Happen? (Kiowa County Press, CO)

https://kiowacountypress.net/content/curious-kids-if-everyone-world-turned-lights-same-time-what-would-happen

Politics, Governance, and Management

39. Federal Bill Aims to Increase Transparency in Hydropower Dam Relicensing Process (Wenatchee World, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/bill-aims-to-increase-transparency-in-hydropower-dam-relicensing-process/article_0845b32a-1ad5-43bd-8b1a-c74c073dfbe4.html

Other Things to Know About Today

40. Old Farmer’s Almanac – Drought Relief for Pacific Northwest as Fall, Winter Forecasts Released (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/weather/farmers-almanac-predicts-higher-normal-precipitation-pacific-northwest-fall-and-winter/281-15eeb5a8-8f65-4d9a-98f0-646d6c282d86

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

41. Think Tank Finds WA Wasting CCA Money on Projects with Little Enviro Benefit (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_2a6de40e-5b9f-4a8e-aa90-9ce4e60ac4dd.html

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

A Michigan Autoworker’s Wallet Is Found Under a Hood in Minnesota — 151,000 Miles Later

https://apnews.com/article/missing-wallet-found-ford-worker-20af47c40547f86e83bfbabcc61e27e5

‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ Winner Is from Oregon: ‘A Mix Between Yoda,’ ‘Hippo’ & ‘Bat’

https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2025/08/worlds-ugliest-dog-winner-is-from-oregon-a-mix-between-yoda-hippo-and-bat.html

Library Book Returned after 82 Years. Note Says, ‘Grandma Won’t Be Able to Pay for It Anymore’

https://apnews.com/article/library-book-returned-san-antonio-82-years-f828a745de1b250d9f8fb8b50dbc8e48

Archaeologists Found a 1,600-Year-Old Roman Mosaic of Flip-Flops. They Look Weirdly Trendy

Song of the Day

George Gershwin (Hayato Sumino) – Rhapsody in Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0S5hYRLytI

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which may result in broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.

Monday, August 11, 2025

The Energy News Digest for August 11, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

As Electric Bills Rise, Evidence Mounts That Data Centers Share Blame. States Feel Pressure to Act (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/electricity-prices-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-fbf213a915fb574a4f3e5baaa7041c3a

BC Hydro’s 1,100 MW Peace River Dam Is Now Fully Operational (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/bc-hydros-1100-mw-site-c-is-now-fully-operational/

California Supreme Court Sides with Environmental Groups in Rooftop Solar Case (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/california-supreme-court-sides-environmental-201749466.html

Eastern Washington’s Rapidly Declining Groundwater Highlighted in New Study (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/09/eastern-washingtons-rapidly-declining-groundwater-highlighted-in-new-study/

Heat Advisory in Effect for Most of Western Washington with Hotter Temps to Come (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/wx-08-11-2025

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. As Electric Bills Rise, Evidence Mounts That Data Centers Share Blame. States Feel Pressure to Act

2. Too Hot, Too Expensive: Oregonians Sweat as Data Centers Gorge on Cheap Power

3. Memories of Deadly Winter Blackouts Haunt the Texas Data Center Boom

4. BC Hydro’s 1,100 MW Peace River Dam Is Now Fully Operational

5. Cowlitz Falls Dam Could Have an Outsized Role on the Future of Lewis County PUD as BPA Prepares to Transition

6. Rock Island Dam Has a History That Might Surprise You

7. Nuclear Regulatory Approval Drives NuScale Customer Interest, But No Deals Yet

8. Swarm of Jellyfish Shuts Nuclear Power Plant in France

9. Montana DEQ Final Assessment Shows NorthWestern’s Laurel Plant in Compliance

10. California Lawmakers Have a Radical Idea for Lowering Electricity Bills

11. New PacifiCorp Center in Southern Oregon Watches for Wildfires Before They Threaten Communities

12. Lawmaker, AARP Call for Nationwide Utility Commission Reforms to Stop Rising Electric Bills

13. Utilities Remind Customers on National 811 Day to Call Before They Dig

14. California Supreme Court Sides with Environmental Groups in Rooftop Solar Case

15. Suddenly, the Trump Administration Tightens the Vise on Wind Farms

16. Commercial Fishing in a Vast Pacific Nature Area Is Halted After a Judge Blocks a Trump Order

17. Declining Puget Sound Kelp Threatens Salmon, Orcas

18. Birds Know That Summer is Ending Soon

19. Eastern Washington’s Rapidly Declining Groundwater Highlighted in New Study

20. Clark Public Utilities’ New System Reuses HVAC Water on Its Thousands of Plants, Saving 1.2 Million Gallons Annually

21. Washington Sues NOAA, Commerce Over Termination of $9 Million in Climate Resilience Funds

22. AOL Discontinues Its Dial-Up Internet, And We’re Just Surprised They Even Offered It in 2025

23. Status of BEAD Non-Deployment Funds

24. Small Oregon County Reckons with Fallout from Data Center Scandal

25. How NASA Satellites Help Researchers Better Understand Northwest River Temperatures

26. Oregonians Have Only a Month to Max Out Electric Vehicle Incentives

27. WA State: Think Tank Says $100,000 Tumwater Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charger Falling Short

28. Nevada: Semi-Truck Hauling Tesla Batteries Rolls Over Onto I-80 West Near Hirschdale

29. Closure Of Midwest-Based Newspaper Chain Leaves Dozens of Communities Without a News Source

30. Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks This Week, But Bright Moon May Limit Viewing

31. U.S. National Weather Service to Restore Hundreds of Jobs Cut Under Trump

32. DOE Is Raising Power Bills by Thwarting Transmission Line, U.S. Sen. Heinrich

33. FERC’s Christie Steps Down, Leaving Agency with Three Members

34. Heat Advisory in Effect for Most of Western Washington with Hotter Temps to Come

35. Extreme Heat Warnings Throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington

Word of the Day

Craggy \KRAGG-ee \ Adjective - 1: full of crags 2: rough, rugged.

The closer Richard Boone came to the camera, the more distinct his craggy features became. A relief map of the Sierra Nevada Mountains flashed before the young cameraman’s eyes at the actor’s approach.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. As Electric Bills Rise, Evidence Mounts That Data Centers Share Blame. States Feel Pressure to Act (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/electricity-prices-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-fbf213a915fb574a4f3e5baaa7041c3a

2. Too Hot, Too Expensive: Oregonians Sweat as Data Centers Gorge on Cheap Power (Hillsborough Herald, OR)

https://hillsboroherald.com/too-hot-too-expensive-oregonians-sweat-as-data-centers-gorge-on-cheap-power/

3. Memories of Deadly Winter Blackouts Haunt the Texas Data Center Boom (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/memories-of-deadly-winter-blackouts-haunt-the-texas-data-center-boom/ar-AA1K4STU

4. BC Hydro’s 1,100 MW Peace River Dam Is Now Fully Operational (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/bc-hydros-1100-mw-site-c-is-now-fully-operational/

5. Cowlitz Falls Dam Could Have an Outsized Role on the Future of Lewis County PUD as BPA Prepares to Transition (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/cowlitz-falls-dam-could-have-an-outsized-role-on-the-future-of-the-lewis-county-pud-as-bpa-prepares,385181

6. Rock Island Dam Has a History That Might Surprise You (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://610kona.com/ixp/1135/p/oldest-dam-columbia-river/

7. Nuclear Regulatory Approval Drives NuScale Customer Interest, But No Deals Yet (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear-regulatory-approval-drives-nuscale-customer-interest-but-no-deals/757318/

8. Swarm of Jellyfish Shuts Nuclear Power Plant in France (The Guardian, UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/11/swarm-of-jellyfish-shuts-nuclear-power-plant-in-france

9. Montana DEQ Final Assessment Shows NorthWestern’s Laurel Plant in Compliance (KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT)

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/montana-deq-final-assessment-shows-northwesterns-laurel-plant-in-compliance

10. California Lawmakers Have a Radical Idea for Lowering Electricity Bills (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/utilities/california-lawmakers-have-a-radical-idea-for-lowering-electricity-bills

11. New PacifiCorp Center in Southern Oregon Watches for Wildfires Before They Threaten Communities (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/10/new-pacificorp-monitoring-facility-medford/

12. Lawmaker, AARP Call for Nationwide Utility Commission Reforms to Stop Rising Electric Bills (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/aarp-florida-fpl-psc-electric-bills/756895/

13. Utilities Remind Customers on National 811 Day to Call Before They Dig (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/featured/49229-utilities-remind-customers-on-national-811-day-to-call-before-they-dig/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

14. California Supreme Court Sides with Environmental Groups in Rooftop Solar Case (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/california-supreme-court-sides-environmental-201749466.html

15. Suddenly, the Trump Administration Tightens the Vise on Wind Farms (NY Times – Via DNYUZ)

https://dnyuz.com/2025/08/07/suddenly-the-trump-administration-tightens-the-vise-on-wind-farms/

Fish & Wildlife

16. Commercial Fishing in a Vast Pacific Nature Area Is Halted After a Judge Blocks a Trump Order (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-fishing-pacific-islands-4202a5a746b7d6a1dd4e76cd41dd7297

17. Declining Puget Sound Kelp Threatens Salmon, Orcas (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/state-squaxin-island-tribe-protect-kelp/281-8733a20f-2f65-4813-8b0b-9098c443893f

18. Birds Know That Summer is Ending Soon (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/08/birds-know-that-summer-is-ending-soon.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

19. Eastern Washington’s Rapidly Declining Groundwater Highlighted in New Study (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/09/eastern-washingtons-rapidly-declining-groundwater-highlighted-in-new-study/

20. Clark Public Utilities’ New System Reuses HVAC Water on Its Thousands of Plants, Saving 1.2 Million Gallons Annually (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/aug/09/clark-public-utilities-news-system-reuses-hvac-water-on-its-thousands-of-plants-saving-1-2m-gallons-annually/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

21. Washington Sues NOAA, Commerce Over Termination of $9 Million in Climate Resilience Funds (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/washington-sues-noaa-commerce-over-termination-9m-climate-resilience-funds/HCL57CMZMRCW3LSZKMDNCPOW5M/

London Calling –Telecommunications

22. AOL Discontinues Its Dial-Up Internet, And We’re Just Surprised They Even Offered It in 2025 (Yahoo! News)

https://tech.yahoo.com/business/articles/aol-discontinues-dial-internet-were-180815638.html

23. Status of BEAD Non-Deployment Funds (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2025/08/06/status-of-bead-non-deployment-funds/

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

24. Small Oregon County Reckons with Fallout from Data Center Scandal (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2025/08/small-oregon-county-reckons-with-fallout-from-data-center-scandal.html

25. How NASA Satellites Help Researchers Better Understand Northwest River Temperatures (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/10/nasa-satellites-northwest-river-temperatures/

I Sing the Car Electric

26. Oregonians Have Only a Month to Max Out Electric Vehicle Incentives (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/08/oregon-ev-rebates-limited-window/

27. WA State: Think Tank Says $100,000 Tumwater Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charger Falling Short (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_a6b2cf3c-8046-4825-bc88-5f780514297f.html

28. Nevada: Semi-Truck Hauling Tesla Batteries Rolls Over Onto I-80 West Near Hirschdale (KTVN-TV, Reno, NV)

https://www.2news.com/news/california/semi-truck-hauling-tesla-batteries-rolls-over-onto-i-80-west-near-hirschdale/article_7224175c-4c28-4e78-b1ad-fe79671e0d3d.html

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

29. Closure Of Midwest-Based Newspaper Chain Leaves Dozens of Communities Without a News Source (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/midwest-west-publisher-newspaper-rural-closure-f20a52cb56ba504bb68d1919fac259a4

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

30. Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks This Week, But Bright Moon May Limit Viewing (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/perseids-meteor-shower-peaks-this-week-bright-moon-may-limit-viewing/U57UN65XCZH3DNNKXE5HHJFCMM/

Politics, Governance, and Management

31. U.S. National Weather Service to Restore Hundreds of Jobs Cut Under Trump (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-national-weather-service-restore-hundreds-jobs-cut-under-trump-2025-08-08/

32. DOE Is Raising Power Bills by Thwarting Transmission Line, U.S. Sen. Heinrich (NM) Says (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/transmission/doe-is-raising-power-bills-by-thwarting-transmission-line-heinrich-says

33. FERC’s Christie Steps Down, Leaving Agency with Three Members (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-christie-retire-rosner-interim-colocation/757275/

Other Things to Know About Today

34. Heat Advisory in Effect for Most of Western Washington with Hotter Temps to Come (KOMO News, Seattle, WA)

https://komonews.com/news/local/wx-08-11-2025

35. Extreme Heat Warnings Throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/11/oregon-southwest-washington-extreme-heat-warnings-remain/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Former Astronaut & Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell Has Died

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/08/nx-s1-1934018/nasa-astronaut-apollo-13-jim-lovell-dead

A Fiery Meteor That Punched Through a Georgia Home’s Roof Is Older Than Earth, a Scientist Says

https://apnews.com/article/meteor-georgia-fireball-bolide-9d90cc17fd316e3ee69ec610788e5531

Four Men Eat Beans with Toothpicks to Break World Record

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/08/11/Guinness-World-Records-David-Rush-beans-chopsticks/6711754922679/

Labubu Burglars Make Off with Thousands of Dollars’ Worth of Dolls from L.A.-Area Store

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/burglars-make-away-7000-labubu-dolls-breaking-l-area-store-rcna223759

Song of the Day

James Horner – Apollo 13, Soundtrack Suite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mFAmvoQmj4&list=RD0mFAmvoQmj4&start_radio=1